Last night was Battleground, so did the WWE landscape change again, or is John Cena still the WWE World Heavyweight Champion?

Who else was able to have gold last night? Did The Usos manage to escape with their Tag-Team Titles against Luke Harper and Erick Rowan? Was Paige able to regain the Divas Championship? Who is the new Intercontinental Champion?

Also, Chris Jericho and Bray Wyatt faced off for the first time ever? Which microphone and wrestling expert came out on top?

Who won the country-war, Jack Swagger for America or Rusev for Russia?

Did Seth Rollins defeat Dean Ambrose, then cash in his Money In The Bank contract for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship? Or was Paul Heyman’s “Plan C” put into effect?

All this, and much more, as the build to SummerSlam officially starts now!

Monday Night Raw TV Report for July 21st, 2014 – “A Convincible, Planned, Decision”

Introduction Segment: Welcoming

Justin Roberts asks us to welcome the Chief Operating Officer, Triple H. His music plays and “The Game” walks out as Michael Cole also welcomes us, informing that an Authority member “DID NOT win the WWE World Title.” John Cena held on to his championship.

Cole and Lawler talk about HHH revealing John Cena’s next challenger for SummerSlam. In the ring, Triple H talks about the speculation of his mood after the WWE World Heavyweight Championship was retained by Cena. He admits that he is “madder than I have ever been in a long time. But I have options on how I handle this. I have options.” He mocks everyone who just uses Twitter to vent their frustrations. “Or I could just fire everybody back there.” (Pointing to the stage.) “Or I could just relax. I could relax, knowing that, sooner or later, I always win.” // “At SummerSlam, I can guaran-damn-tee that John Cena will no longer be the WWE World Heavyweight Champion.”

Before he can let us know who John will face, “The Viper” Randy Orton’s music interrupts and demands his rematch against Cena for SummerSlam. Orton says he has been waiting four months for his one-on-one bout, which Triple H concurs is a good case, but it is not just him that needs to convince the C.O.O. “I’m gonna give everybody the opportunity to convince me tonight. The entire roster is going to have an opportunity to convince me. You know what Randy? I want somebody to impress ME! I want somebody to go the extra mile and show ME! I want them to get in here (ring) that they want it; more than anything in their life, that they want it! MORE THAN THEY BREATHE! More than ANYTHING that they want to be WWE…”

Randy interjects again telling HHH that he’d already be WWE World Heavyweight Champion if Kane had done his job and helped out in the Fatal-4-Way. Kane now walks out and replies. He wants to be thought of to take on John. “I know that I can beat John Cena. I know that I can be the one to bring the title back to The Authority. So long as I’m not acting as Randy Orton’s ‘protector.’ I am tired of ‘babysitting.’”
The third man involved in Battleground’s main-event now makes his way through the fans. Roman Reigns stands on the apron and wants to be a part of this talk about the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. “Because last time I checked, nobody wants to see John Cena VS. Kane.” (Boos) “And don’t nobody wanna see Randy Orton VS. John Cena again.” (Boos) “It sounds like everybody wants to see John Cena VS. ROMAN REIGNS!” (Loud cheers) “BELIEVE THAT!”

Reigns charges the ring and levels Kane with the Superman Punch! Orton exits the ring, and Triple H books a match immediately – Roman Reigns to take on Kane and Randy Orton!

Commercials.

Match #1: Two-On-One – “The Viper” Randy Orton and Kane VS. Roman Reigns

Orton and Reigns are starting with an elbow/collar tie-up. Randy kicks Roman in the gut, but Reigns fires back with a headbutt. He gives Orton the corner 10-punch, but Orton slams Reigns’ head to the canvas off the ropes. Kane now in and also locks up with Roman. Kane hammers away on the back of Reigns, but Roman counters a run with a Samoan Drop. He covers, but only gets one. Randy’s back in and knees Reigns in the gut, then stomps away. Both Kane and Orton begin to pick apart Roman, trading tags and beatings.

Reigns reverses a suplex by Kane into one of his and gets a two following. Reigns slugs away with punches and a headbutt on “The Big Red Machine,” but Kane reverses a whip and hits a corner-clothesline. Roman counters with a boot out of the opposite corner then dives off the rope with clothesline of his own. Kane counters again and tosses Reigns to the floor. Roman reverses another whip and hurdles Kane into the steps!

Ads.

Orton now has Reigns in a standing headlock, but Roman fights out with punches. He gets taken down again with an elbow block and Orton takes control. Kane and Randy continue to dominate, wearing out Reigns with various punches, kicks, and ripping holds. Roman works his way out of a reverse chinlock, punches up and delivers a Samoan Drop! He gives a leaping clothesline to Kane off the ropes, then sets him up for the floor-to-apron running front dropkick! Reigns signals for the Superman Punch, but has to knock Orton on the apron first.

Kane slides out of another Samoan Drop and gives Roman a boot-to-the-face. He wants to tag Orton, but Randy just stands there. Kane clutches Orton by the throat, but turns around into the Superman Punch and Spear from Roman! He covers Kane to get the victory!

Winner via Pinfall: Roman Reigns

Post-match, Orton had walked away and Reigns eggs him back to the ring. Orton approaches but backs off again.

Later tonight, Chris Jericho will have Bray Wyatt on his “Highlight Reel,” while Nikki Bella will face four Divas at once, next!

Segment #2: Backstage Promo

Cameron, Alicia Fox, Eva Marie, and Rosa Mendes are chatting when Stephanie McMahon walks up. She claims that the women will “annihilate” Nikki Bella. They confer and walk off.

Commercials.

Match #2: Four-On-One – Rosa Mendes, Cameron, Eva Marie, and Alicia Fox VS. Nikki Bella

(Note: Footage from last month’s Payback Pay-Per-View where Brie Bella quit and slapped McMahon is shown.) As Nikki makes her entrance, she looks to the crowds with a smile on her face. In the front row is Brie, and Nikki hugs her. Before this bout gets underway, Stephanie walks out and mocks The Bella Twins, as well as Daniel Bryan. As Stephanie walks away, Brie calls her a “bitch.” McMahon stops and demands security eject Brie, but she produces a ticket. McMahon insinuates that Bella is “blocking the view of the people behind you”, but Brie snatches the mike. She accuses Stephanie of taking these actions “because I left my handprint on your face!” Brie calls McMahon a “vindictive bitch!” Stephanie slaps Brie but security clutches Brie and hauls her away. McMahon orders the bell to be rung, and this ends as quick as it starts, with a mauling of Nikki and Alicia finishing her off with a scissors kick.

Winners via Pinfall: Rosa Mends, Cameron, Eva Marie, and Alicia Fox

Post-match, the women roll Nikki out of the ring while Stephanie stands over her and mocks her. “Sooner or later, you’re going to do just what your sister Brie did, and QUIT!”

Ads.

Match #3: Single – “The Inspirational” Bo Dallas VS. Damien “LeBron James” Sandow

(Note: Before the contest, Sandow is dressed as NBA Basketball star LeBron James, donned in a Miami Heat jersey, with “Miami” crossed out and “Cleveland” taped on, mocking the real-life trade. Sandow tells Bo he should just make like LeBron and leave!)

Damien quickly kicks and hammers Bo, but Dallas comes back with a clothesline and backdrop. He clotheslines Sandow over the ropes, then punches away again. Sandow comes back with an elbow and hammers away on Bo’s back and head. Bo reverses into a Small Package for a near-fall, but Damien hits back with another clothesline. Sandow clamps on a grounding headlock, then knees Dallas in the gut. Sandow mocks a LeBron James taunt, and yells “Cleveland, I’m coming home!” He misses the Elbow Of Distain, allowing Dallas to capitalize with the Bo-Dog running corner bulldog and the 1 – 2 – 3!

Winner via Pinfall: “The Inspirational” Bo Dallas

Up next, it’s Highlight Reel time!

Commercials.

Segment #3: Arena Promo

The camera focuses on the announcers, as Cole and Lawler inform us that a “situation has unfolded” regarding Chris Jericho. “Miami, we’re here.” The Wyatt Family, not Jericho, saunter to the ring amid darkened arena and cellular phone lights. “Hello everyone, and welcome to the Highlight Reel! Unfortunately, your scheduled host, Chris Jericho, is unable to make it at the moment. He’s a bit ‘indisposed.’ Now where, oh where, could Chris Jericho be? I wonder,” Bray opens and points to the Titantron.

Footage shows The Wyatt Family attacking Jericho in his locker room,, with Bray giving him Sister Abigail against the lockers. He sits in the locker and tells Chris, “sooner or later, they all fall down,” then walks off humming “He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands.”

Back live, “now, where is Chris Jericho? Where is your ‘savior?’ Surprise, surprise, he ain’t here for you. But you know who is? I am. I am here for you just like I have been every day since I’ve been around. And I know what you’re thinking. ‘I can read your thought.’ I know, that you’re thinking, that because last night Chris Jericho had his arm raised at the end of the night, that you believe he is a better man than I. do you really believe that I would burden myself with such petty, squeamish things? A lost in a battle means nothing to me. Because I know, that it is the war that counts. And war, that’s my ‘game’ man. I created war. And it wasn’t so long ago that The Wyatt Family entered a WWE ring for the very first time. And in our short reign of terror, we have dismantled giants, we have destroyed monsters, and most importantly of all, we have brought so-called ‘heroes’ to their knees. And I ask you right now Chris Jericho, just who in the hell is it you really think you’re dealing with man. I am Bray Wyatt, the ‘Eater of Worlds,’ and I am every bit the monster they think I am. You will find Chris, that you cannot measure me like you measure a normal man. You cannot measure me by how much dollar bills I have in my pocket; because society is my ‘plaything.’ You cannot measure me by the days of the year, because time is irrelevant to me. I live a hundred years a day man. And there’s been something, ever since last night, it’s been recurring over and over again in my head and I can’t shake it. It’s something that Abigail used to say to me. She used to say, ‘be careful going out and chasing vengeance Bray. Because if you do, you’ll need to dig two graves: one for your enemy and one for yourself. But unfortunately for you, Chris Jericho, I am forever.” Bray laughs and drops to his knees. “Follow the buzzards.”

Chris Jericho is now shown with R-Truth, Zack Ryder, and a WWE Doctor checking on him. His left ear is bleeding.

The NEW Intercontinental Champion makes his way to the ring. That man is … The MIZ! (Yay!) he will be in action next!

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Match #4: Single – Intercontinental Champion The Miz VS. “The Show-Off” Dolph Ziggler (Non-Title)

(Writer’s Note: Hopefully, this match is given lots of time, as it could be pun-intended, AWESOME!) Miz rolls out of the ring right away, taking off his shades and protecting himself. Dolph punches at him, but Miz escapes again. Ziggler runs after on the floor and into the ring, but Miz rolls away before Dolph can punch him again in the face.

Ziggler chops Miz against the barricade, but Miz blocks a potential head-slam on the steel steps. Miz catches Dolph with a kick in the ring and takes control. Dolph flips out of a backdrop and they trade roll-ups for one-counts. Ziggler gives Miz a hip-toss and repeated elbow drops, with the fans counting to nine. Miz rolled out before ten, then takes over again. He has Dolph in a grounding headlock, but Dolph reverses into a hammerlock. Ziggler leaps around, but is swept up by the legs. Miz slingshots him over the ropes, but Dolph hangs on like Hall Of Famer Shawn Michaels at the 1995 Royal Rumble. They both trade hits on the apron, then Miz tosses him to the floor with a flapjack!

Commercials.

Miz is dominating with vicious kicks and gives him a suplex for a near-fall. Ziggler punches his way out of a rear chinlock and rolls-up Miz for two! Miz misses a running clothesline in the corner and crotches himself against the turnbuckle. The referee begins the count as both men are down. Dolph fires up and clotheslines the I.C. Champ a couple of times. He splashes Miz in the corner and twists him around with a neckbreaker. He goes for the Fameasser but Miz counters with a roll-up. 1 – 2 – Dolph kicks out! Ziggler reverses a neckbreaker into a backslide for another near-fall! Miz drops Dolph with a side effect slam for two also! Dolph leaps onto Miz and rolls over with a sunset flip, but Miz reverses and tries the Figure-4. Dolph kicks him off and drives him down with the leaping DDT! 1 – 2 – Miz still kicks out!

Dolph clamps on Miz’s head, but Miz works out of it and DDT’s Dolph for another two! Miz knees Ziggler’s knee and goes for another Figure-4, but Ziggler rolls into an inside cradle for a near-fall! Miz catches a kick attempt and finally clutches the Figure-4! Dolph struggles but manages to grab the ropes for a break! Miz tries again, but Dolph kicks off and plants him with the Fameasser! 1 – 2 – Miz gets the shoulder up! Crowd now chanting “this is awesome!”

Ziggler leaps on Miz’s back, but he pushes off. Ziggler snapmares Miz out of a Skull Krushing Finale attempt, then goes for a kick. Miz turns around to preserve his face, but Ziggler surprises him with the Zig-Zag and covers to take this back-and-forth battle!

Winner via Pinfall: “The Show-Off” Dolph Ziggler

(Writer’s Note: Excellent match!)

Post-match, Miz orders Justin Roberts to announce him as STILL the Intercontinental Champion. (Nice touch!)

Segment #4: Office Promo

Triple H is talking with Seth Rollins, telling him not to risk everything just yet. He doesn’t want Rollins to face Cena at SummerSlam because of his Money In The Bank contract. Seth says that anytime he tries to cash in, Ambrose is there to foil it.

Cesaro walks in and tries to convince Triple H that he should be the one to face John at SummerSlam. Cesaro reveals he is not a “Heyman guy” anymore. “The Game” tells Cesaro to convince him by taking on Dean Ambrose later tonight.

Up next, Divas Champion A.J. Lee will team with her friend/rival Paige!

Ads.

Match #5: Tag-Team – Natalya and Emma VS. Paige and Divas Champion A.J. Lee (Non-Title)

Emma and A.J. begin, locking up. A.J. hammerlocks Emma, but she is elbowed. Emma trips up Lee and rolls her for one, but A.J. comes back with a victory roll for two! A.J. clutches Emma by the hair and skips around. She tags in Paige who headbutts Emma, then mocks Emma’s dance. Emma counters a run with the Tarantula lock against the ropes. Emma tags in Natalya who gives Paige a front-dropkick and jackknife cover. Paige bridges out and rear-bumps Natalya in a backslide position. She shoves Natalya into Emma on the apron, but the third-generation Diva fires back with a clotheslines. She clamps on the Sharpshooter, but Paige struggles to and tags in A.J. The Divas Champ holds Natalya in the Black Widow Octopus hold, forcing her to tap.

Winners via Submission: Paige and Divas Champion A.J. Lee

Post-match, both Divas celebrate until the inevitable. As A.J. turns around, Paige yanks her down and repeatedly headbutts her! She tosses the Divas Champion to the floor and is now getting boos. “C’mon A.J.” she says as she hurls Lee into the barricade and the ring post. “I told you this was my house! THIS WAS MY HOUSE!” Paige whips A.J. over the announce table and eggs her on again. Paige crawls onto the table and reminds Lee/Us, “my house, A.J.” Paige walks off with a sadistic smile, then skips away like A.J. “My house!”

Commercials.

Match #6: Single – Fandango VS. “Long Island Iced-Z” Zack Ryder (with Summer Rae and Layla)

Fandango controls for a bit, until Ryder counters with a facebuster and double-knees. Fandango counters a missile dropkick and pounds away, but misses a clothesline and falls to the RoughRyder! Layla did move Fandango’s leg off the rope to give Zack the advantage.

Winner via Pinfall: “Long Island Iced-Z” Zack Ryder (with Summer Rae and Layla)

Segment #5: Backstage Promo

Rene Young is with Raw Guest Star Flo Rida. He is happy to be back in WWE when Heath Slater walks in. He pushes Flo because Rida did that at WrestleMania, XXVIII, his last WWE appearance. Flo shoves Slater back into equipment and walks off. He will perform next.

Ads.

It is announced that United States Champion Sheamus will face Rusev this week on Main Event.

Segment #6: Arena Performance

Flo Rida and his musicians perform.

Near the announce table, Stephanie McMahon is chatting with real authorities. They arrest her and Brie Bella reappears. Both women get into a yelling match and need to be held back. McMahon is taken away in handcuffs.

Backstage, Triple H argues with the authorities while Stephanie is being walked off. They load her into the car and drive away.

Commercials.

Segment #7: Office Promo

Triple H is packing up to leave when Agent (and former wrestler) Joey Mercury walks in. he hates to ask the question, but wants to know “The Game’s” decision on who’s facing Cena at SummerSlam. At first, Triple H is only concerned with Stephanie, but then realizes it will be a while before he can see her, due to processing and all, so he decides to stick around and leave after he’s made his decision.

Match #7: Tag-Team – Rybaxel (Ryback and Curtis Axel) VS. Big E. and Kofi Kingston

Ryback and Big E. engage in an elbow/collar tie-up to start. Ryback gets the advantage with punches, but Big E. comes back with a shoulder block and a side belly-to-belly suplex. He also knocks Axel off the apron, but turns around into a spinebuster. Axel now in and both he and Ryback kick away at Big E. in the corner. Suplex by Ryback for two! Ryback pounds away on the back of Big E. then gives him an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. He goes for the Meathook Clothesline, but Big E. counters with one of his own! Big E. crawls to Kofi for the hot-tag, who leaps in and chops Ryback down! Kofi flies around with a dropkick and the S.O.S for a near-fall!

Big E. clotheslines Curtis over the ropes while Kingston soars off the top rope with a crossbody, but Ryback reversed into a cover to suddenly get the 1 – 2 – 3!

Winners via PInfall: Rybaxel (Ryback and Curtis Axel)

Post-match, Big E. wonders what happened with Kofi, when Xavier Woods appears. He is attired in a white suit with red shirt and glasses. “Everybody listen. I need you to pay attention to what I’m about to say. This is exactly what I’ve been talking about. You cannot move ahead by shaking hands, kissing babies, singing and dancing like a puppet. You cannot move ahead by always doing what you’re told. Now, this is our time. This is our place. It is time for us to find focus. It is up to us to find order. Together, it is our time to find purpose. Because we do not ask any longer. Now, we take!” Big E. and Kofi seem to agree, with Kofi nodding his head yes. (This new alliance could be interesting – more on that in my “excellence” part of my review.)

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Match #8: Single – “The Super Athlete” Rusev (with “The Ravishing Russian” Lana) VS. The Great Khali

Before the bout, Lana tries to talk but Khali interrupts her. Rusev wins this pretty easily, making Khali tap-out to The Accolade (Camel Clutch)

Winner via Submission: “The Super Athlete” Rusev (with “The Ravishing Russian” Lana)

Segment #8: Backstage Promo

Stardust is holding a globe and singing. “There’s no earthly way of knowing which direction you are going.” He spins right around into Goldust. He says that they are the brightest of stars, and says “it needs us.”

Dean Ambrose now makes his way to the ring and will be taking on Cesaro next!

Commercials.

Rene Young is outside The Authority’s locker room, and says that Stephanie is going to be arraigned tonight for “battery” against Brie Bella, with possible further charges of “resisting arrest.”

Match #9: Single – Dean Ambrose VS. Cesaro

Cesaro grabs Ambrose’s injured arm right away, but Dean works out of it and punches. Cesaro counters a suplex attempt and elbows Ambrose’s left shoulder. Amborse puts Cesaro to the floor, then leaps onto him from the apron and punches away. Cesaro kicks Ambrose as he re-entered the ring. He throws Dean shoulder-first into the ring post, then suplexes him from the ring to the floor! Cesaro wears Ambrose’s bandages shoulder with an armlock, Dean hits back with flurry punches, and sling-shots himself over the ropes, but Cesaro counters with a European uppercut.

Ads.

Cesaro has Dean gripped in another armlock, but Dean works his way out. Cesaro catches him in a German suplex pin for two, then sets him atop the turnbuckle. He kicks hard at the shoulder, then tries for a suplex. Ambrose counters and headbutts him off. Dean rockets off with a front-dropkick, then off the ropes with a crossbody and punches. Ambrose is gaining momentum, spinning Cesaro around with a Tornado DDT out of the corner. He runs Cesaro head-first into the turnbuckle, then pulls down the ropes which sends Cesaro tumbling to the floor! Ambrose follows up with a suicide dive! He hits a bouncing clothesline and covers, 1 – 2 – Cesaro kicks out!

Cesaro yanks Ambrose’s arm on the ropes, and gives him a hard clothesline of his own. 1 – 2 – Ambrose kicks out! Ambrose elbows Cesaro and climbs the top rope, but Cesaro chops him off and kicks away as Dean is hanging upside down! Ambrose reverses a whip and shoves Cesaro three times shoulder-first into the ring post, then collects a steel chair from ringside. He nails in the arm with it, causing the DQ!

Winner via Disqualification: Cesaro

Backstage, Rene Young is with Triple H. She wants a word but he is on his way out to make the WWE World Heavyweight Championship announcement. She asks if he should be with Stephanie, but “The Game” just glares at her and walks away.

Commercials.

Segment #10: Arena Promo

Triple H reveals the new #1 Contender for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, to face John Cena at SummerSlam. Randy Orton’s music plays and he walks out happy. Before he can get to the ring, Roman Reigns comes from the other side and brawls around the arena with him. They fight to the back area as the C.O.O. looks on.

Paul Heyman now walks out to the stage! He has a microphone and looks worried. “Mr. C.O.O., you, you know how much respect I have for you, sir. I hate to point out the obvious, but ‘Plan A’ just, just isn’t working with Randy Orton; not while Roman Reigns is around. I mean, ‘Plan B,’ I like ‘Plan B.’ Seth Rollins is great. But every time Seth Rollins is going to try and cash in that Money In The Bank briefcase, Dean Ambrose is going to stop him. Which is why, Triple H, I think The Authority has the uncomfortable decision right now to agree with me, that you need to make the ‘dangerous’ choice of implementing ‘Plan C.’” He points to the stage and the music of his first and current (again) client walks out – the man who broke The Undertaker’s streak at WrestleMania XXX – Brock Lesnar!

Triple H agrees, shaking the hands of both Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar! He walks away while Heyman puts over his client, “BROCK LESNAR!” Paul announces that he is going to “conquer John Cena and take the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam.” Heyman says that Lesnar recognizes the lovers and haters of Cena. ‘Now it doesn’t matter to my client which side of the fence you want to ride on. This malpracticing ‘Dr. Of Thug-A-Nomics’ is in for the beating of a lifetime!” Heyman backs up his points with video evidence, which is from WrestleMania XXX when he defeated The Undertaker.

“Oh John Cena, that same beating awaits you!” // “At SummerSlam, my client will take John Cena down. Brock Lesnar will punch John Cena’s face in. John Cena, you are going to be hurt by Brock Lesnar. Brock Lesnar is going to injure John Cena. Brock Lesnar is going to mangle John Cena. Then, and only then, Brock Lesnar is going to F-5 John Cena and strip John Cena of the dignity of being the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. The same way Brock Lesnar stripped The Undertaker of his dignity and exposed ‘The Streak’ as just being a myth. The same myth that Brock Lesnar hears every week on television when John Cena is referred to as being ‘the greatest WWE Champion of all-time.’ 15 World Titles in ten years; now that sounds like something worth conquering.” // “Ladies and gentleman, my name is Paul Heyman. And I’m ‘the one’ behind ‘the one in twenty-one-and-one’ and at SummerSlam, my client Brock Lesnar will Beat John Cena and become the WWE Heavyweight Champion of the world.”

Lesnar’s music plays as Heyman greedily smiles. “Will ‘The Greatest’ or ‘The Beast Incarnate’ rule at SummerSlam,” Cole ponders as the camera focuses in on Brock’s face to close the show.

End Of Raw.

Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp

This was a great Raw, both in follow-up to Battleground and set-up for the next Pay-Per-View, SummerSlam. It started off and ended off hot, plus really ran smooth and kept attention mostly throughout. Onto the particulars:

Excellence: Opening promo; everything about it was well-done. From Triple H’s truthful tirade/cheap-shots about people on Twitter, to Randy Orton and Kane’s explanation of why they should be #1 Contender, to Roman Reigns surveying the fans’ SummerSlam choices in a subtle way. Even though it was heavily rumored and inevitable of who the person was going to be, liked they kept us in suspense until end of the show for the “big announcement.”

Brie/Stephanie – at first was not really into this angle, but it seriously got hot tonight (in the subject-matter way, not looks!) and both really finally delivered on the microphone. Loved the added touch of Brie pressing charges on Stephanie for assault and having her arrested after getting thrown out of the arena.

I’m very interested in Xavier Woods’ new character; it seems to resemble Clarence Mason and maybe a new Nation Of Domination (for newer fans, a 1996 – 1998 group, somewhat doing the same thing) type faction. Hopefully they actually do run with this and make these guys (Big E, Kofi, Woods) dominate and heels to freshen them up and get this over.

Fantastic match between Ziggler and Miz, both story-telling and wrestling-wise. Also, Miz losing does not hurt him, as this now gives Dolph a legitimate shot at the Intercontinental Championship.

As always, loved Bray Wyatt’s promo and this feud with Jericho. I see an “I Quit” match for SummerSlam?!

Cesaro dumping Heyman was surprising, but loved the aggressiveness he displayed in his match with Ambrose. I am a little worried he’s going get lost in the shuffle though, but maybe it is a new feud now with Dean after tonight.

I’ve always loved Paige’s attitude and wrestling ability since watching her on NXT; this new persona will hopefully get her over even more and elevate her better, as well as the Divas Championship and a hot (both in wrestling, and yes, I’ll admit in looks) feud for the rest of the summer, and maybe beyond!? Plus, the actual match tonight was wonderfully wrestled between all four women!

I was a little skeptical and thought they should’ve ended Raw with the handshakes between Triple H and Lesnar/Heyman, leaving us in waiting to hear next week. But Heyman’s promo was gold and really helped Lesnar seem legit again, especially since Cena has already beaten him once. They could easily spin it that the first time they faced off, Lesnar lost was because he didn’t have the guidance of Heyman. Now that Heyman has led him to defeat The Undertaker at WrestleMania, which no one else could, Paul E. can lead him to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship again, which he also did back in Brock’s debut year of 2002.

Bogus: Didn’t like the back-to-back multiples-on-one matches. Waters the “specialty” of them down to be one-after-the-other. Worried that Bo Dallas is starting to go nowhere; he didn’t even have an entrance tonight. At least he won in a somewhat quick fashion. Really don’t care for this Fandango/Summer/Layla storyline and it needs to end!

On another note, regarding the Lana/Rusev situation, I just read what they said at Battleground. It was definitely smart of WWE not to give Lana her usual promo tonight, and I believe they should’ve complete steered away from that line/talk, as it is wa too much of a surreal and uneasy real-life situation/feeling.

All-in-all, a darn good show, but I will miss writing about next week’s, as I am on vacation. So hopefully they keep up the momentum when I return for August 4th! Until then, as always, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!